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Building our caravan

We started building our own caravan last year when we discovered that we couldn’t get what we felt we needed. Both Rob & myself have bad backs and we can't sit in camp chairs or the boxy type of seats that most caravans have for any length of time. We needed to have proper chairs that support our backs properly. We found them long before we started to approach caravan builders. However none of the major caravan builders would allow for the boxy seats to be replaced with chairs. The boxy seats are "part of the structural strength of a caravan".

We built the trailer (axle shown upside down on top of another trailer that we used as a bench).

Once the idea idea of a custom made caravan was deemed feasible we started dreaming and planning what we wanted in a caravan of our dreams. Of course there were a few cost restraints as we tried to be reasonable and reconcile practicality finances and desires along with Rob's considerable building talents. Some of our desires included higher kitchen bench, shower & toilet, single beds that slide together for times of intimacy, higher beds to utilize great storage spaces under them and as much storage space as we could muster in all sorts of places.

All aluminum framework - looking into the bedroom here

Many, many, months and new skills acquired along the way, our van has taken shape. There were some real challenges for Rob but with perseverance he overcame all obstacles. So now we have this wonderful custom built slide on - slide out caravan with the lounge and chairs for comfort, higher kitchen benches and other features that we particularly desired.

The chairs that inspired the caravan

We have named the caravan, "Robbiebago" – Robbie built it and it is a bay that goes. It is our unique version of the famous Winni…And this blog will help document the adventures we will have. Come and join us from the comfort of your computer or even better come and join us on the road ahead.

2 comments:

That's great. It usually is a bigger job than you expect and costs more too. However you get a set up done just the way you like for much less than a custom job done professionally. We're happy to advise if you like when the time comes. Where do you live?

The Robbiebago

Our rig

G'day

This blog follows our Australian travels in an RV, the bus conversion, some recipes and other bits 'n pieces about our lives. I'd love to hear from you, so do feel free to make some comments and where possible I will return the compliment and visit your blog too!We have 4 grown kids and 2 delightful granddaughters. PS Robbiebago is named after Rob, who built our RV and we thought it'd be a fun name.

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